16 Unique Types Of Roof You Should Know

It may surprise you to know that most homeowners don’t know much about their roof. Don’t get me wrong. I am not suggesting that you should become an expert. But It's good to know a few things about your roof. You know why? It’s the most crucial part of a house. 
 
Once you fail to give your roof adequate attention, it tends to fail prematurely. And it could affect other areas of your home. 
 
It’s not just about fixing a roof, but it should be beautiful and magnificent. And you can only get this through design and construction. When it comes to choosing a roof design for your home, you have a lot of options to choose from. Here are the top 16 amazing types of roof to know. 
 

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16 Unique Types of Roof You Should Know
 
#1. Flat Roof
 
A flat roof is one of the most popular types of roof. Unlike the name implies, flat roofs aren’t really flat. But they are low-sloped roofs that look flat. They have a little bit of slope that allows water to run-off. Most times, you will see flat roofs in commercial buildings, modern architecture style homes, and home additions. 
 
A truly flat roof would have no pitch, and this will give room for rainwater pooling up. And the pooled up rainwater will create a stagnant spa for mosquitoes, bacteria, and mold. But you can solve the rainwater problem if you use the drain, scupper, and gutter to evacuate the water. 
 
If you want a flat roof style for your home, shingles and other roofing materials would be a good option for you. But if you insist on them, try to get them covered by rubber membranes or asphalt coating. It will provide adequate water protection. 
 
However, PVC and TPO are an excellent option for flat roof design. They are very durable as rainwater pooled up doesn’t affect them much. 
 
#2. Gable
 
The Gable roof style is similar to that of a traditional dog house. It’s designed in a way that one side will go up and the other hand will come down. Gable actually means the triangle spot that forms when the two pitches area of a roof meets. 
 
You can use gable roof design in most types of roof pitch including; low-slope ranch style homes, and steep A-frames. But, this type of roof can’t withstand strong wind. You know why? They hang over creating eaves which tend to peel off entirely during strong wind. 
 
Also, the gable roof will not give the end of your home shade or cover as it has only two roof surfaces. 
 
#3. Hipped
 
If you need the side of your homes to have enough cover or shade, the hipped roof is a great option. It’s a roof design in which all sides slope towards the wall downwards.
 
This type of roof has four sides, of which two have a triangle shape, and the other two have trapezoids shape. Interestingly, hipped roofs perform very well in high wind areas. But matching materials between sides and ends in this roof design is a bit difficult. 
 
#4. Gablet (Dutch Gable)
 
The Gablet is a special type of roof design that solves most problems created in the gabled and hipped design. The design houses a gabled roof on a hipped roof. It gives easy access to the roof’s lower portion as well as having more natural light, attic, and bedroom space. 
 
#5. Jerkinhead
 
Jerkinhead is an uncommon type of roof design. It’s a combination of gable and a bit of hipped roof. When you clip gable roof into a short hipped design on the ends, it can withstand wind uplift. 
 
You can use this design of the second story of your house if the clipped doesn’t disrupt the dormer window view. 
 
#6. Saltbox
 
The saltbox is a fantastic roof style you should know. The rare roof portion has a long protrusion that almost extends to the ground. This protrusion makes it easier for rainwater to run-off this roof quickly. 
 
One good thing about this type of roof is that it offers excellent wind resistance. But the design requires the backside of your house to have a slanted ceiling. And it will prevent tall people from entering your home through the back. 
 
#7. Catslide
 
The catslide roof design is a bit similar to saltbox. While saltbox can be used for your entire home, you can only use catslide in some parts of the back roof or home additions. 
 
When you use this roof design, it extends beyond your building’s eaves; this makes it to create more depth. But it will be at the cost of the building’s height. Furthermore, this type of roof design can be used as a transition into a three-seasons/ sunroom. You can also use it as an extension into the mudroom. 
 
#8. Dormer 
 
Dormer is a roof design that complements an existing roofing style in a building. It usually protrudes from the existing slope of a roof. Sometimes, a dormer roof design could be used for specific roof function or aesthetic purpose. 
 
If your dormer is functional, it will create space out of the building’s roof to add natural light and headroom. But if the dormer is there for aesthetic purpose, it will only improve the curb appeal of a building. 
 
Many contractors believe that dormer is an unnecessary attachment to the roof as it creates an extra pot where a leak could come from. But homeowners believe that they serve as reading nook or opportunity to get fresh air. 
 
#9. Shed Roof (Skillion)
 
The shed roof design is a popular type of roof people use for modern homes. The design doesn’t have adjoining slopes as it’s pitched in one direction. 
 
If you want to remove unused attic space with a functional and aesthetic interior room, the shed roof would be perfect for you. This design doesn’t only expose to natural light but also create a fantastic profile in your neighborhood. 
 
Since the roof is pitched in one direction, it allows rainwater to run-off. It will make the roofing materials used to be more durable. 
 
#10. Lean-To
 
Lean-To is a type of roof design that its single slope feeds into the side of an existing building. Most carports design is Lean-To. 
 
You can also this type of roof in modern construction like a home office, sunroom, or a deck with a permanent awning. One of the reasons some people opt-in for this type of roof is because it’s constructed with inexpensive materials. 
 
#11. Mansard
 
The Mansard roofing style is arguably the most comfortable type of roof to adorn your building. The roof features two slopes – one slope on each side. You will love the fact that this roof creates extra space, but these roofs are sometimes framing nightmare. 
 
#12. Gambrel
 
Gambrel is a type of roof design with two slopes; it’s also called barn roof. The bottom of the roof’s slope steep and partially vertical before the top slope angles into the ridge. When you use this type of roof on your building, it creates more space. In fact, you can install attic in the top sloped portion. 
 
#13. Rainbow Roof
 
The rainbow roof is a unique roof design that rectifies the issue of snow buildup when you use it in single-story or garage. 
 
It won’t be wrong if you say this design is a gable roof with two slopes which meet at a ridge. You can use the materials you used for barn or gambrel roof for this design. 
 
#14. Bonnet Roof
 
This design is a reversed style of the mansard roof. Bonnet roof slope top is steep while the bottom is flat. The sloped bottom extends beyond your home’s eaves. 
 
With a bonnet roof design, a porch-like shaded area will be created around your home. The sloped top of this roof design helps to create vaulted ceilings or installing windows for natural light. The eaves extension prevents water from seeping around flashing and down the interior walls. 
 
#15. M-Shaped (Multi-gable, ridged)
 
The M-shaped roof style is sometimes known as the ‘double gable.’ The design has features two sloped sides which meet in the middle. If you use this design for a strip mall or condominiums, it would be great. 
 
If your contractor fails to provide central gutter running from front to back, there will be snow and rain build-up at the middle where the two slopes meet. But when properly constructed, this type of roof is very durable. 
 
#16. Butterfly Roof
 
The Butterfly is a modern roof design that will improve your home’s curb appeal. It’s unique and avoid slope on the backside to give the interior more natural light and functional space. 
 
The best type of roof is the one that doesn’t hold rain or snow and can withstand wind. The right roof structure will improve energy efficiency and provides excellent curb appeal to your home. 
 
Contact Suburban Roofing for your roof replacement, repairs, and installation projects. At Suburban roofing, we make every dollar you spend on our roofing project worth it.